SAN DIEGO -- Today in San Diego former California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring filed the necessary paperwork to challenge incumbent Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom (D) this year. Nominating petitions were concurrently filed in multiple counties across the state.

"Every election is an opportunity for Californians to decide whether we're on the right track, or if we can do better. With the highest poverty rate and the worst business climate in the nation, we can do better. We're going to make sure that when it comes to the state's number two post, voters have a choice and the opportunity to restore some balance to Sacramento," said Nehring.

From 2007 to 2011 Nehring served as Chairman of the California Republican Party. He previously served as Chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County and is currently the San Diego GOP's Vice Chairman.

"In San Diego, we've seen how the power of ideas can transcend partisanship. We have a Republican Mayor in San Diego today because even in a city where Democrats hold a big advantage in registration, voters chose the candidate of reform over the candidate of organized labor the the Democrats. That's the right model for our party to be competitive again in California," he added.Nehring's campaign is chaired by former top Reagan campaign adviser Peter Hannaford and has been endorsed by the California Republican Assembly, the state's oldest and largest GOP volunteer organization.

BUENA PARK, CA - Members of the California Republican Assembly voted overwhelmingly last weekend to back former California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring for Lt. Governor. The California Republican Assembly is the state's oldest and largest Republican volunteer organization and its support is highly sought after by many GOP candidates.

"The members of the California Republican Assembly are principled volunteers who work hard to put Republican ideas into action. I'm proud to have CRA's support in this campaign," said Nehring, who has consistently earned the group's endorsement in past campaigns for state party office. "A strong campaign in California unites our base while building a broad, majority coalition. I'm looking forward to bringing the Republican team together to maximize our opportunities for victory in November."

Polling over the last several months shows a national political environment that continues to turn toward Republicans, with experts seeing a Republican takeover of the U.S. Senate together with a returning Republican majority in the House increasingly likely.

"We need to be prepared to take full advantage of the favorable political environment that Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have created for Republicans nationally. Politics is like football: we can only score when we're on offense, and that means fielding candidates for every office and articulating a positive, forward-looking message that speaks to voters' concerns about California's sluggish economy, limited economic opportunities, and underperforming schools. To win, we must become the party of bold reform," said Nehring.

Ron Nehring served as Chairman of the California Republican Party from 2007 to 2011 and is running for California Lt. Governor on a platform of promoting bold reform to restore the state's economic competitiveness and improve education. For more information, visit RonNehring.com.

Government power is serious business. All Americans have an interest in ensuring that the power of the state is directed by people of high ethical standards and will hire subordinates who will respect the appropriate role of government, rather than a group of hacks.

"Too often in the political world people delude themselves into thinking that how a person behaves in 'politics' is separate and distinct from how they behave in 'government.' A campaign that encourages staff to push ethical limits, treats people (especially subordinates and volunteers) poorly, and employs sleazy, creepy tactics teaches people that these are the traits and behaviors that are valued and earn rewards," writes Ron Nehring in this new article. "Yet, what happens when these same people are part of a winning campaign, and move into government positions? Are we to believe that those who have been trained in, and rewarded for, skirting the rules and will, when suddenly given the powers of the state, change?"